chapter 3

• sociocultural factors

  the social and cultural conditions into which people are born, grow, live, work and age. 
• sociocultural factors

  • family
  • peer group
  • employment
  • education
  • housing
  • income
  • access to health information
• family

  • single - parent families
  • same - sex families
  • divorced or seperated
  • step family
  • blend family
• family influences

  • risk taking behaviours
  • physical activity
  • social skills
• lack of family cohesion

  • increased risk taking behaviour
  • greater burden of disease
  • lowers health status
• peer influence 


  the social influence a peer group exerts on its members, as each member attempts to conform to the expectations of the group
• peer influence - group dynamics

  • positive impacts
  • negative impacts
• peer group - risk taking behaviour

  • peer pressure
  • take health risks
  • resulting in decrease of health status
• housing 


  young people spend a lot of time at home, therefore the environment a young person lives in can affect their health status
• housing factors

  • influence youth health behaviours
  • influence health status
  • impacts can be positive and negative
• homelessness can occur as a result of

  • overcrowding
  • poor housing
  • family violence
• homelessness health outcomes

  • more likely to partake in risk - taking behaviours
  • decreased engagement in school
  • food insecurity
• access to health information and support services

  • health education in schools
  • services covered by medicare
  • influence youth health behaviours
  • influence youth health status
• access to health information and support services

  young people often turn to digital technologies, such as

  • internet
  • health related apps
• barriers to accessing health information and support services

  • high cost
  • confidentiality
  • physical location of services
• education


  helps develop knowledge and skills, and prepares young people for work in later years
• great levels of education

  • increased income later in life
  • ability to pay for health services
  • reduced the likelihood of stress in regard to finance
• education

  promotes awareness of health - related behaviours

  • smoking
  • physical activity
• higher levels of education


  linked with better health outcomes
• employment

  • influence youth health behaviours
  • negative and positive aspects
• employment enhances

  • social health and well-being
  • mental health and well-being
  • physical health and well-being
  • spiritual health and well-being
• income - family income

  • influence youth health behaviours
  • influence youth health status
• family income influences

  • housing
  • education
  • social experiences
  • clothes
  • food
  • extra-curricular activity
  • access to healthcare
• socioeconomic status (SES)


  the levels of education, income and occupation are often considered together as a persons socioeconomic status.
• social gradient of health

  the higher a persons income, education or occupation level, the healthier they tend to be